CAMERON PARK – EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — A pre-preliminary hearing in the criminal case against Darin Blake McFarlin, a 47-year-old CAL FIRE captain accused of murder, was postponed again on Dec. 15 in El Dorado County Superior Court, extending the wait for key legal proceedings in one of the region’s most closely watched criminal cases.
McFarlin, a captain with CAL FIRE’s Amador-El Dorado Unit, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, domestic violence and child abuse in connection with the Aug. 21, 2025, fatal shooting of his partner, 29-year-old Marissa Herzog, and her young son at their Cameron Park home. Prosecutors allege he also attempted to kill a second child who survived the attack.
During his initial court appearance in late August, McFarlin pleaded not guilty to all charges, which include special-circumstance murder allegations that could expose him to the death penalty or life in prison without parole if convicted. InEdC Court documents allege the killings were willful and deliberate, and that McFarlin inflicted corporal injury on Herzog before obtaining a firearm and shooting her in the dining area of the home.
According to social media post updates from local sources, the Dec. 15 pre-preliminary hearing did not advance the case and resulted in a new hearing date being scheduled for March 9, 2026, although official court calendars have not yet published the updated schedule.
The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office has maintained prosecutorial commitment to moving the case forward but has not issued a new public comment regarding the latest delay. The Superior Court’s online calendar allows registered users to verify scheduled hearings and department assignments.
Community members in Cameron Park and across El Dorado County have followed the case closely, with local media and neighbors expressing shock over the alleged domestic violence and loss of life. In August, a Cal Fire spokesperson described the tragedy as “heartbreaking and shocking” while affirming cooperation with law enforcement.
Next Steps:
— The court has set a subsequent pre-preliminary hearing for March 9, 2026, to further address procedural and discovery issues.
— Attorneys for both sides will likely continue negotiating scheduling and evidence exchange ahead of a formal preliminary hearing date.
— The community is expected to remain engaged as the case proceeds through the El Dorado County Superior Court system.
